A Review of book titled:Shadows of Insights: A collection of inspirational notes

Author: ‘Sanmi Falobi

Shadows of Insights: A collection of Inspirational Notes written by ‘Sanmi Falobi is not just another compilation on inspirational quotations. More than offering inspirational thoughts on various aspects of human endeavour, the book tells a vintage story about how faith in GOD and how determination to succeed can help overcome challenges and vicissitudes of life.

The author obviously had experienced some depressing and challenging times in the journey of his life, as he acknowledges thus: “To God be the Glory; for the guiding inspirations of the Holy Spirit through the past years of despairs to the present path of fulfilling purpose”.

The 76 page book covers a wide range of lessons and offers inspirational thoughts that make life worth living. We would find in this book how faith can take us through the hardest time in life; for faith guarantees “personal peace from within in spite of surrounding contrary evidences” (p.33).

As humans, we live in a world that throws up challenges that must be overcome before genuine fulfillment could be attained. While challenges often show up at critical junctures in one’s life, inspirational thoughts which are bedrock upon which time-tested personal life and situational experiences are founded could yet offer the right doses of encouragement and relief. Inspirational thoughts unleash fresh direction and momentum as well as fortify against fears and despairs in the journey of life.

You cannot fathom the expanse and depth of the richness of this book by merely looking at the size. This is one book that is loaded with lessons and examples that would hold readers spellbound. I am deeply fascinated by the story of a young boy and his dad as captured in this book. Excerpt from the story begins with a poser that goes thus: Daddy, how much do you make an hour?

As usual, the 21st Century father should be surprised at such question from his loving son. When Daddy eventually admitted he makes Twenty Dollars an hour, he was still of the opinion all his boy wanted was money as most father would simply have concluded.

But the whole gist and the huge lesson in parenting in 21st Century struck when the young boy, at the tail end of the short story, offered to buy one hour of his father’s time for Twenty Dollars.

The message was a present and clear wake up call to father that needs some useful lessons about life. Before now, I had prided myself as a family man who loves to spend time with my family. The brief lesson this story convey to me is that I still need to devote more quality time regardless of the increasing demand of time away from home.

Life and the happiness we seek is essentially about the quality of time we devote to whatever worthwhile that our hands find to do. Again, the book offers huge lesson about the secret of being happy. We are reminded that being factual and truthful about where we are in life is crucial in making the most out of our day.

Most of the time we find ourselves in situation where we become battered and we simply resign to the path that life challenges has consigned us. In the midst of our challenges, we hardly seek to live again which is the most important thing beyond the picture the challenge throws at us.

An anonymous quotation in the book admonishes that falling down is part of life while getting back on track is what living is all about (p.41).

The book is a compendium of useful nuggets and gems aimed at adding quality to daily living. The author obviously has devoted much quality time to research and writing of this wonderful book. The book addresses so much and yet provides enough insightful inspirations that keep us on the path of success regardless of the situation we find ourselves.

I commend this book to all those, regardless of age, religion and education, that seek divine knowledge and wisdom to move on in life in spite of duration and harshness of the storm of life.

This book charges to keep running and keep living no matter the difficulties. It is on this note that the curtain on this review would be drawn with a reference to the words of Martin Luther King Jr thus: if you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl; but whatever you do, you have to keep moving.

It is most thoughtful of the author to be making a passionate contribution to the society through this inspirational and life enhancing book. By focusing attention on topics that would help people find succour and encouragement in coping with life challenges, the author has demonstrated genuine concerns for humanity and the larger society beyond the boundaries of the immediate environment.

Reviewer:

Francis Abayomi

Executive Director, Peace and Development Projects (PEDEP)

Lagos, Nigeria.

Tel: 08023307892; Email: franbanabayomi@gmail.com

March 2015.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

SHADOWS OF INSIGHT (2015)  contains series of insightful quotes, inspiring short stories and captions which would be beneficial to everyone at different phases of life regardless of age, gender and social status. A follow-up to the author’s first book, ‘Great Ideas, Empty Pocket’ (2005, reprint 2010), SHADOWS OF INSIGHT is a compendium of priceless ideas, inspirational quotes, thought provoking notes and value driven stories with insights for all round fulfillment and optimal success in life.

The insights in the book touch every facet of life. Each page has a connection with what everyone is going through in life as it teaches what to do when facing difficulties in life, how to worry less about irrelevant things and the guiding principles on personal development and value placement on priorities to enjoying and living a fulfilling life.

The book uses real life situation stories in explaining issues so that readers could easily connect with it. There is no issue of life that is left out in this book as it touched every sphere of life. It just takes a glance at any of the pages to become enthralled.

Reading this book will not be a waste of time because you will enjoy reading it and will definitely recommend it for others to read.

THE AUTHOR:

‘SANMI FALOBI is a development advocate, freelance journalist, NGO Intraprenuer/programme implementation strategist and a budding Entrepreneur. His entrepreneurship endeavours straddles Media Consultancy, Creative Writing/Publishing and a number of human capacity development initiatives.

He is a Programme Manager with the International Press Centre (IPC) Lagos as well as managing editor/publisher of SUCCESSTACT Magazine with virtual versions on SUCCESSTACTng facebook page and SUCCESSTACT facebook group as well as @SUCCESSTACT.com website. His passion is enshrined in fostering human capital capacity development and providing insights for success cross cutting issues of human endeavours suitable to enhance personal effectiveness, aid entrepreneurship ventures,  promote career & skills development and enhance personal and organizational success.